Syria’s long-standing civil war has erupted into renewed violence, drawing global attention after insurgents made significant territorial gains, including seizing most of Aleppo, the country’s largest city, along with dozens of surrounding towns and villages. The offensive has triggered the heaviest clashes since a ceasefire in 2020 brought relative calm to northern Syria.
The insurgent advance on Aleppo marks a critical shift in the conflict. The city, previously recaptured by Syrian government forces in 2016, had been a stronghold for President Bashar Assad’s regime. Its loss now represents a significant setback.
The rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a group once affiliated with al-Qaida — have taken advantage of weakened and distracted opposition. HTS, which controls much of northwest Syria, has attempted to rebrand itself in recent years, distancing from its hard-line roots and embracing pluralism.
Pro-Assad forces, bolstered by Russia and Iran, maintain control over most of Syria’s major cities, including Damascus. However, the insurgent advances have strained their resources. Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have faced setbacks due to the recent conflict with Israel and other regional distractions. Iranian-aligned Iraqi militias have reportedly been deployed to bolster Syria’s counteroffensive.
Russia, another key Assad ally, provides critical military support from bases in Latakia province. However, its focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine has limited its ability to fully commit to the Syrian conflict.
Turkey plays a pivotal role in supporting anti-Assad factions. It backs the Syrian National Army, which has launched attacks on northern towns like Tel Rifaat, held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey’s presence in northern Syria remains substantial, although its troop numbers are undisclosed.
HTS remains the dominant force in the region, alongside other insurgent groups, such as Noureddine el-Zinki, which had previously received U.S. backing. Foreign fighters from the Turkistan Islamic Party and Chechen factions have also participated in battles in northwest Syria.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by around 900 U.S. troops, continue to control large areas of eastern Syria. The SDF has been instrumental in combating the Islamic State group, capturing its last strongholds in the region. In Aleppo, SDF fighters are surrounded by insurgents but may be allowed safe passage to the northeast.
Turkey views the SDF’s Kurdish factions as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it considers a terrorist group, adding another layer of tension to the conflict.
Syria’s civil war, now in its 13th year, remains a battleground for multiple foreign powers, including the U.S., Russia, Iran, and Turkey. With shifting alliances and renewed offensives, the path to peace seems more uncertain than ever.